Barix, a provider in IP-based audio, intercom, control, and monitoring, announced Milestone Systems, a developer of open platform IP video management software, accepted Barix into its Manufacturers Alliance Partner (MAP) program. The partnership enables Milestone customers to integrate legacy hardware devices with Milestone XProtect software over IP, using the Barix Barionet as a bridge between the physical and software layers. The complete solution enables a more responsive, proactive surveillance system that enhances security and safety, and minimizes hardware upgrade costs throughout multi-site surveillance networks.

The Barix Barionet is a flexible, cost-effective and programmable device that interfaces real world hardware devices to IP based monitoring, control and automation systems. In a Milestone XProtect environment, the Barionet can trigger camera movements and activate video recording based on motion, doorbell, light, water leakage, over-temperature and other events — anything for which an appropriate sensor is connected.

The Barionet provides eight contact closure inputs (four also capable of analog voltage sensing) and a temperature sensor interface (up to 50 sensors). Six outputs (two relays capable of switching line voltage plus four digital outputs) can be controlled from within the XProtect platform to switch real world indicators and actuators such as lights, locks or alarms. In addition, nearly any device or system with a serial port, including alarm and building management systems, that provides status updates can be connected via serial port to the Barionet and its status made available to XProtect.

"Barix is a valuable addition to our Manufacturer Alliance Partner program, which is bringing together an eco-system for best-of-breed solutions in IP surveillance around the Milestone open platform — connecting, sharing, controlling and managing all devices and storage through a single interface that is easy to use,” said Henrik Friborg, VP Strategic Alliances and Co-Founder of Milestone Systems.

Milestone Systems and Barix IP control and intercom solutions have been integrated for surveillance operations already, proving interoperability in applications for border crossing stations, construction site surveillance and critical systems monitoring. Bart Sebregts, GM of Secured By Web, a company based in the Netherlands that provides digital solutions for the observation, control and security of real estate, designed a Milestone/Barix integrated solution for a construction company working at the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam.

"One major requirement for a Milestone installation is access to data via a TCP/IP network, which can present challenges when communicating with physical detectors and other analog devices,” Sebregts said. “For older installations like the Stedelijk Museum, we combined software development kits from the two companies to build a custom user interface. The new integration strategy means that our customers can look at camera images activated by the Barix devices directly from the Milestone XProtect interface instead of a custom-designed interface. It simplifies the integration process from our side, and creates a standard operating platform for our customers.”

SQK, a systems integration firm based in Hong Kong, has also integrated successful Milestone Systems and Barix solutions. In one application, telco companies are monitoring the health status of unmanned stations, using the Barionet to trigger video cameras and forward alerts to XProtect operators, warning of intrusions, loss of power and other critical issues. A second application brings video and audio together at a China/Hong Kong border crossing station in Schenzen for PA announcements over IP, traffic management and general surveillance.

"Milestone Systems software and Barix IP control products have a history of proven interoperability, and this new level of integration provides a great new toolset to security professionals operating IP surveillance systems of all sizes,” said Johannes Rietschel, CEO and Founder of Barix. “We are pleased to be a member of Milestone's MAP program, and look forward to working together on future endeavors to provide best-of-breed, integrated IP surveillance and control systems on a global basis.”